Cape Town — Former Eskom senior executive, France Hlakudi, along with ten of his co-accused, had their trial postponed after an attorney representing one of them said his client was not feeling well.
The matter, which was transferred from the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to the Johannesburg High Court, is set to continue on 31 July 2024, to determine if Antonio Jose Da Costa, accused four in the case, is fit to stand trial, The Citizen reported.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, Da Costa’s attorney placed it on record that his medical condition is of a “serious nature.” and the state will await the doctor’s report to confirm the allegation.
Hlakudi and his co-accused, are facing charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering, stemming from Hlakudi’s time as manager at Eskom. Eskom group executive for the group capital division Abram Masango, businessman, Maphoko Kgomoeswana, and Tubular Construction chief executive Antonio Trindade are accused of committing these offences for the upgrade of Kusile power station in Mpumalanga, between 2014 and 2017.
Hlakudi and Masango allegedly received R30 million each in bribes from Trindade.
Kgomoeswana and his company, Babinatlou Business Services, are accused of facilitating the bribes on behalf of the Kusile contractors to the former Eskom bosses. The case, which started in 2019, has faced several delays due to postponements, including Hlakudi changing his legal representatives.
Last year, the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court dismissed two applications brought by Masango and Trindade in connection with the R745 million deal at Kusile Power Station.
According to IOL, Hlakudi has another matter in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria regarding a R30 million tax fraud case which pertains to his personal and business tax affairs.
The charges relate to his personal tax affairs and that of his companies, Hlakudi Translation and Interpretation cc, Coxinel Chicken (Pty) Ltd, and Bon Services Telcom cc. The monies were received between 2015 and 2018.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
